VIII

Chapter 3. All the little blind Mice.


“Are you sure you’ll be fine Mom?” She didn’t look fine, and the doctors never said she was fine. The past month Joyce rarely complained, but everyone knew she still had severe headaches even six months after the surgery.

“Yes Buffy. I will be fine. I only have to go for a week and the doctors said I can go without any worries. So sweetie, no worries all right? Besides the trip isn’t for a month. ” Joyce cupped her oldest daughters face in her hands. “Honey, I know you are concerned, but everything will work out, you’ll see. Besides, I haven’t seen Spike in almost two years.” She smiled. “I can’t believe Dawn finished high school so long ago. And soon she will be getting married herself.”

“I don’t understand why they are rushing. I mean he just proposed a few weeks ago and now they are getting married in just a few months.”

Joyce laughed and Buffy was reminded of how long it had been since she last heard her mother sound so happy. “Maybe it is a family thing. Angel couldn’t wait to marry you, you couldn’t wait to marry him. And Connor and Dawn can’t wait to be married themselves. Now your father and I had a very long engagement, and look how that turned out. You and Angel are happy, and Connor and Dawn will be happy as well.” Buffy turned so her mother wouldn’t see her cringe.

“So when is Angel coming over? I told him he didn’t have to stay at the office long tonight. Buffy I am so happy with how well he is doing. I know you and Dawn have no interest in taking over the gallery, so having him around to help and take over when I need it is a blessing. You have a wonderful man.”

“Yes I do.” And it wasn’t a lie.

Buffy did have a wonderful man. Angel was an incredible husband. He never pushed or pried. He gave her so much. He loved her so much. And Buffy loved him. When Joyce needed to take time away from the gallery to recover from her operation, Angel had stepped in. He went from someone who just helped unpack boxes occasionally, to a full time employee. Angel even quit his job to help Joyce full time.

“So what is the special occasion anyway? You never did tell us why we all needed to be here tonight?”

“Do I need a reason to invite my two daughters and the men they love over for dinner?” Joyce said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Ok mom, whatever you say.” With her hands clasp together Buffy asked. “So what do you need help with?”

“Nothing in here, but why don’t you set the table.”

It was fun. A family coming together to enjoy a meal and just be with each other. For the first time in months the house on Revello Dr. was full of laughter and happiness.

Suddenly Joyce stood. “I have an announcement to make.” She had everyone’s attention. “I know that these last few months have been difficult on everyone. And I thank all of you for being so amazing during this time. When I first found out I had a tumor, I thought ‘this is it.’ But during the time before and after the surgery, I was comforted in knowing that my babies would be taken care of. Connor, I know in my heart that Dawn has chosen the perfect man for her. I am glad I have been given the privilege to be able to get to know you during the last few years. It may sound silly, but I feel that you two will have so many happy years ahead of you,” Joyce paused and no one commented when they saw tears well in the older woman’s eyes. “Buffy and Angel. I cannot believe you have been married for four years. I admit, it was a shock to me. You had only been in college for two years and then to get a phone call saying my oldest daughter was not only in love, but getting married… I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. I think I did a little of both that night. As well as some questioning about whether or not Buffy was on drugs,” they all shared a laugh at that comment. “But after spending the last six months really spending time with Angel, I began to see what Buffy saw in him. Angel, you are ndernderful man. Well deserving of my daughters love,” she paused again taking a deep breath. “I want you to know how much I appreciate how much your help has been during all of this. You gave me a chance to concentrate on getting better. You gave me a chance to focus on myself instead of the gallery or my children. I want to show you my appreciation. Angel I went to my lawyer a few weeks back and had him draw up some paper work for me. I would like to make you a full partner in my gallery.” Moving over to the china hutch, Joyce pulled out a thick stack of papers. “If and when I die. I would like you to have my-our gallery.”

Angel stood, a protest on his lips.

“No, I know this is a shock. And before you say it. I know you helped me because of the man you are, not because you thought this would be the results. I have always known that Buffy and Dawn have no interest in art. And I also know you do. I know that you put away your brushes to support yourself through college, and now in support of Buffy. I want you to have it when I am gone, and now, while I am still here.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have say anything, Angel, just sign the papers. Saves me and Buffm ham having to make up excuses as to why we don’t want it.” Dawn said as she grabbed the papers and pen from her mom and slide them over to Angel.

Angel turned to Buffy. “Buffy, what do you think?”

‘Shock, that’s what I think.’ “I think that it is your decision, but Dawn and Mom are right, I don’t see myself being able to run the gal. An. And I have never been able to tell the difference between a work of art and a child’s finger painting.”

Unsure about what to do Angel stood with the pen in his hand.

“Angel,” Joyce said. “If you want to read it over I understand. Take it to your lawyer. Have him look it over. Take time to think about it. But I do want you to know that no matter what, I think you should have it.”

Buffy held her breath as Angel signed the papers.

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“And you have to go?” Buffy cringed when she realized how whiny her voice sounded.

“Yes, Buffy. Joyce doesn’t think she should go. You know how tired she has been lately.” Angel grabbed pants from his dresser.


“Why don’t you just cancel?”

“Buffy, your mom wants me to go on this trip. And if I am going to be a full fledged partner in this, then I need to get used to all aspects of the gallery, and that includes business trips.” He sighed as he zipped up the bag. “Buffy, come here.” Once she was snuggled in his arms he started again. “Honey, tell me what this is all about?”

“I just don’t want you to go.” Buffy said quietly into his che“I w“I will miss you.”

“Oh baby. Look at me. I am going to miss you too, but this is something I have to do. Joyce gave me a lot of responsibility when she gave me half of the company. And I want to do a good job. We both knew what this would entail.” Angel kissed her lips. “How about this. Next trip we make it a second honeymoon. Or a first, since we really didn’t have one before.”

With a smile on her face, Buffy pulled herself out of his embrace. A honk outside told them the cab was parked outside. “I will call you as soon as I land, or as soon as I locate Spike.”

“Spike?”

“Yea, didn’t Joyce tell you? He is going to pick me upm thm the airport. I am going to stay with him while I am there.”

“Spike?”

With another quick kiss, Angel was out the door.




‘Sodden two hour layover. Good thing I begged off work. Damn it Joyce you should have called from NYC. I would have waited before I drove all the way over here. In traffic no less.’ Spike glared once more at the overhead monitor. “Damn it thirty more minutes.”


While buying time, Spike went to the gift shop and browsed the book section, as well as the magazine section, and the bottles of various drinks, and the candy display.

“Maybe mum would like a chocolate bar when she gets off the plan.” After grabbing several bars from the shelf Spike made his way to the counter. Behind the cash register Spike saw something he couldn’t resist.

After paying for his items, Spike checked the clock and saw that Joyce's plane would be landing in a few minutes.

Spike stood there like a moron. One hand full of sweets, the other full of roses. And Joyce never got off the plane. Even after Angel walked over to him, Spike kept looking for her.

“Awww. Flowers for me? Sweetie, you shouldn’t have.” Angel mocked as he took the roses from Spikes hand. “And chocolate, how did you know I had a craving.” Spike backed up, away from the crazy man.

“Where is Joyce?” he managed to stutter.

“She didn’t call you?” Angel said as he headed luggage terminal.

“Umm that would be a no.”

“Oh well she has to go in for some more tests, and she asked me to come for her.”

“And why is that?”

“Well, it will good for me to start learning this side of the business.”

“Again, why is that?”

“You mean they didn’t tell you?”

"Obviously, they don’t know my number, or address, or who I am.” Spike said gruffly.

“Aww Spikey, of course they know you.” Angel grabbed his suitcase and turned back to Spike. “You know about Joyce’s surgery?” And Spikes nod he continued. “Well she got a bill of good health, but a few months ago, or longer, I don’t know, she started having headaches again. I have been helping her off and on before the surgery.” They loaded Angels stuff in the back of Spikes car. Angel waited before they were in the car beforkingking. “Do you mind if we stop for a drink? I hate flying.”

“Yea, I think I could use a drink myself.” ‘Or the whole bar.’
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While they sat at the bar Spike took a moment to really look at the changes in Angel. Two years had past since Spike had last been in Sunnydale. Which meant that Angel and Buffy were an old married couple by now. Spike was 24 years old. Was he still in love with his best friend from high school?

“So, when I saw that Joyce was struggling, I decided to step in. I hated my job anyway, so I quit and went to work for Joyce full time. Last month she made me a partner.”

“What did Buffy have to say about that?”

“Not much. You know Buffy. Always keeps things to herself.”

Spike snorted and pulled out a smoke. “Buffy keep everything to herself? Sounds right. Always has to be stoic, always has to ‘do the right thing’, bloody superhero she is.”

Angel held out his beer. “To Superhero women.”

And Spike lifted his glass.


Many drinks past between the two men. And many words were spoken that perhaps should have been left silent.

“And do you know the best part? Or the worst? She left. I had it all planned. Fuck I still have the ring. I still have the letter. I still have everything. Everything but her. I have all the memories. All the……. Fuck. Everything but her.”

Angel didn’t know quite what to say. What do you say when a man breaks down?

“Look Spike, I don’t really know what you want to hear. I mean it was along time ago.”

“Who buys her perfume?”

“What?”

“Buffy? Do you buy her perfume?” Spike was suddenly sober.

“Buffy? What are you tal-“ Angel stopped. “Buffy, you’ve been talking about my wife?”

Spike laughed. “Where have you been all night? Cause that’s all I seem to be able to talk about? For years, every birthday, every Christmas, I gave her a bottle of vanilla scented perfume.”

“I do. Every year for Christmas a bottle of Channel #5. I thought, I mean, she never wore anything. And I thought she would like it.” Angel took a long drink. “She always wears it now. She loves it.” But she didn’t at first. Looking back, Angel could remember the first time she opened a bottle. Buffy had stared at the bottle. And when she looked up at him, she had such a lost look of longing on her face.

“And the clothes.”

“She does. I know what you’re trying to do Spike. I haven’t tried to change her. But people change and the way they dress and how they act change also. People change. She’s changed.”

Spike smiled a wiry grin. “I thought I could accept that. Yes, Angel your right. People change. She can change. You can change, I can change. But…. But…”

His grin was lost, but no frown marked his face. Angel could only read the emotions in his eyes. “Buffy doesn’t smell like an over priced woman. She smells like vanilla fields. She smells simple and complicated and when she smiles it lights the entire world. You said she was a superhero. You’re right. Her smile can save the world. Her heart can save the world. And her laugh. Oh god, CHRIST! when she laughs mountains crumble and oceans bubble. And she thinks she isn’t smart, but she knows so much. And she thinks she isn’t talented, but she could lead a small army, NO! a large army, the world’s army into victory.”

Spike leaned over so close Angel could smell the whisky on his breath.

“Is she happy?” Spike swallowed hard and turned away. “No. Don’t answer that.” He stood and threw a wad of bills on the bar. “If you’re staying with me, we go now. If not. I don’t think I want to ever see your face again.”

Angel, not moving from his seat, watched as Spike stumbled from the building. A few minutes later he found his bags just outside the entrance to the bar.

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